Modular framing system and a method of construction thereof

ABSTRACT

The disclosure refers to a modular framing system where single frames ( 1   a,    1   a ′) or stacks of adjacent frames ( 1   a,    1   b ) are interconnected by elongate locks ( 2 ) positioned between said frames ( 1 ). Adjacent frames ( 1   a,    1   a ′) can either be connected together with one elongate lock ( 2 ) or a plurality of elongate locks ( 2 ) joined by lock connectors ( 21 ) to form a continual length of elongate locks ( 2 ). The number and length of the elongate locks ( 2 ) to be used are dependent on the height of the frames ( 1 ) to be used and the distance between the top frame ( 1   a,    1   a ′) and the underside of a room ceiling. Where the height of the adjacent frames ( 1 ) to be connected together is greater than the distance between the top frames ( 1   a,    1   a ′) and the underside of the room ceiling, a continual length made from shorter lengths of elongate locks ( 2 ) is more practical.  
     Each frame ( 1 ) is made up from two horizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements ( 11 ). Each frame element ( 11 ) has a frame slot ( 12 ) that slidably interlocks with elongate locks ( 2 ) to connect the adjacent frames ( 1 ) to form an assembly of frames ( 1 ). Each elongate lock ( 2 ) is designed to slidably fit the frame slots ( 12 ) provided on the frame elements ( 11 ). Each frame element ( 11 ) also carries a screen slot ( 13 ) designed to receive a panel holder ( 5 ) for the purpose of attaching display panels ( 4 ). Panel materials can be high-pressure laminates, fibreboards, plywood or other suitable materials.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to a modular framing system anda method of construction thereof. Specifically, this invention relatesto a particular design of a frame element with a frame slot to engage aplurality of slidable elongate locks and a screen slot to engage aplurality of panel holders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Modular frames are frequently used to form structural componentsin the construction of booths, rooms and display panels at marketingevents, conventions and general events, including modular partitions,frames fixed with transparent materials, display panels and raisedplatform structures.

[0003] Some drawbacks of existing frame systems available are asfollows:

[0004] (a) Some frame systems are complex, requiring numerous differentcomponents such as columns, cross ties and fixing accessories.

[0005] (b) Structures of some frame systems are not versatile, as theycannot be easily converted into modular panels.

[0006] (c) Formation of tall partitions or structures often requires avertical assembly of a number of rows of shorter panels or frames, oneon top of another. The tall partition assembly process is time consumingand the tall partition is aesthetically compromised by the presence ofnumerous horizontal joints.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,338 discloses a display assembly comprising aplurality of panels joined together by elongate connecting members. Eachpanel has a removable frame formed by extrusions in each of which is aslot having a restricted entrance. Each connecting member has two headswhich can be slid into slots in adjacent panel, from one end, to jointhe panels together, each head being too wide to pass through therestricted entrance of the slot. A central body portion of theconnecting member, to which the heads are joined, is positioned between,and extends outwards between, adjacent panels to facilitate access tothe connecting member and enable the screen assembly to be dismantledeasily. A longitudinal slot can be provided in a part of the body thatis accessible between connected panels, to enable components such asshelf-supporting brackets to be secured to the screen assembly. Toincrease the versatility of the assembly, a variety of connectingmembers can be provided, enabling panels to be joined together in acommon plane or in planes inclined to one another and in one or moretiers. The assembly can also include panels connected together by polesand clips. The connecting members can be extended components and may beof hollow cylindrical construction. It is important to note that inorder to form a stack of panels, the connecting member locking the lowerpanels has to protrude above the lower panels, so that the protrudingportion of the connecting member can be used to fit the upper stackedpanels. One drawback of this feature is that the distance between theceiling and the topmost panels must always be larger than the width orheight of the stacked panels. This invariably leaves a wide clearancebehind. Another drawback is that panels will have to be stacked up toform a tall partition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to allow tall wallstructures or partitions to be constructed without horizontal joints,using adjacent single frames.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to allow tall wall structuresor partitions to be constructed using adjacent single or stacks offrames, or a combination of both.

[0010] Still, another object of the invention is to provide a versatilemodular framing system that is easily constructed and dismantled onsite, even by unskilled workers.

[0011] Yet, another object of the invention is to allow panels orcladdings to be attached to frame elements easily and quickly.

[0012] To meet the above objects, a modular framing system comprisingsingle or stacks of orthogonal frames arranged in adjacent to oneanother with their corresponding edges positioned in close proximity toone another, each orthogonal frame being formed from two horizontallydisposed and two vertically disposed frame elements; a plurality ofelongate locks disposed in between the adjacent vertical frame elements.Each frame element is integrally provided with a frame slot and a screenslot. A plurality of elongate locks slidably interlocks with each of theframe slots. A plurality of lock connectors joins one upper elongatelock to another elongate lock at their common interface. A lockretriever is employed to engage the top end of the uppermost elongatelock, enabling the length of the joined elongate locks to dismantle theframing system. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a slidinginterlocking mechanism that connects the elongate locks and the frameelements. This eliminates the need for tools for assembly, as well asprovides strong joints. The lock connectors allow shorter lengths of theelongate locks to be joined into continual longer length. Where theheight of the adjacent frames to be connected together is greater thanthe distance between the top frames and the underside of a room ceiling,a continual length made from shorter lengths of elongate locks is morepractical. In the situation of stacking frames to fit a room walls theelongate locks can be cut into required lengths that will fit thisremaining clearance between the top frames and the underside of the roomceiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The following descriptions of the drawings are intended tofacilitate a better understanding of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular framing system of twoadjacent single orthogonal frames, showing an elongate lock fullyinserted between the frames.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one preferred application of amodular framing system according to the present invention, in the formof stacks of orthogonal frames, exposing an elongate lock.

[0016]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the elongate lock partiallyretrieved from frame slots between the frames.

[0017]FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a lock retriever used to retrievethe elongate lock.

[0018]FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a joint between two elongatelocks using a lock connector, when further frames are to be stacked up.

[0019]FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the lock connector shown in FIG.4a.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a frame element according to theinvention.

[0021]FIG. 6a is a perspective view of one embodiment of the elongatelock as shown in FIG. 3a.

[0022]FIG. 6b is a cross-section view of the elongate lock as shown inFIG. 6a.

[0023]FIG. 6c is a side view of the elongate lock as shown in FIG. 6a.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the elongate lock sandwichedbetween two adjacent frame elements.

[0025]FIG. 8a is a front view of a modular framing system where adisplay panel is being displaced from holder brackets.

[0026]FIG. 8b is a partial cross-section view of the modular framingsystem holding a display panel.

[0027]FIG. 8c is an enlarged assembly view of the frame element and apanel holder including a holder bracket as shown in FIG. 8b.

[0028]FIG. 9a is a perspective view of the panel holder according to theinvention, showing an I-shaped connecting member engaged with theinverted U-shaped holder bracket.

[0029]FIG. 9b is an end view of the panel holder shown in FIG. 9a.

[0030]FIG. 9c is a side view of the panel holder shown in FIG. 9a.

[0031]FIG. 10a is a cross-section view of another embodiment of theelongate lock, linking two frames disposed at right angle to each other.

[0032]FIG. 10b is a cross-section view of yet another embodiment of theelongate lock, linking three frames disposed at right angle to oneanother.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] According to the invention, the following description explainsone embodiment of an elongate lock which interlocks two frames disposedin a common plane. For the sake of clarity, 1 a, 1 a′ refer to adjacentframes; 1 a, 1 b refer to upper and lower frames respectively.

[0034] As seen in FIG. 1, two adjacent single orthogonal frames (1 a, 1a′) are assembled using an elongate lock (2) according to the presentinvention. Each orthogonal frame (1 a, 1 a′) is made up from twohorizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements (11).The elongate lock (2) is slidably received in the frame slots (12)between two adjacent vertical frame elements (11).

[0035] As seen in FIG. 2, a modular framing system comprising stacks oforthogonal frames (1) arranged in adjacent to one another with theircorresponding edges positioned in close proximity to one another.

[0036] Stacks of adjacent frames (1 a, 1 a′) are interconnected byelongate locks (2) positioned between said frames (1 a, 1 a′). Adjacentframes (1 a, 1 a′) can either be connected together with one elongatelock (2) or a plurality of elongate locks (2) joined by lock connectors(21) to form a continual length of elongate locks (2). The number andlength of the elongate locks (2) to be used are dependent on the heightof the frames (1 a, 1 b) to be used and the distance between the topframe (1 a, 1 a′) and the underside of a room ceiling. Where the heightof the adjacent frames (1 a, 1 a′) to be connected together is greaterthan the distance between the top frames (1 a, 1 a′) and the undersideof the room ceiling, a continual length made from shorter lengths ofelongate locks (2) is more practical.

[0037] Each orthogonal frame (1) is formed from two horizontallydisposed and two vertically disposed frame elements (11). A plurality ofelongate locks (2) is disposed in between adjacent vertical frameelements (11). It is important to note that each frame element (11) isintegrally provided with a frame slot (12) and a screen slot (13)according to the invention. To fit a tall partition, a plurality ofelongate locks (2) of different lengths are joined into a continuallength, and slidably interlocked with each of the frame slots (12). Todo so, a lock connector (21) is employed to join one upper elongate lock(2 a) to another lower elongate lock (2 b) at their common interface. Alock retriever (3) is employed to engage the top end of the uppermostelongate lock (2 a), enabling the continual length of the joinedelongate locks (2) to dismantle the framing system.

[0038] To show the elongate lock (2) as in FIG. 3a, a lock retriever (3)is employed to retrieve the elongate lock (2). The elongate lock (2) isextruded preferably I-shaped. At lengthwise web (24) towards both theupper and lower ends of the elongate lock (2), there are disposed twoholes (23), one on top of the other. It is important to note that atleast one hole (23) is implied, although two holes (23) are mentioned.The holes (23) are not necessarily round. When fully pushed in, theelongate lock (2) and the two holes (23) are concealed from view. Asshown in FIG. 3b, the lock retriever (3) is preferably a rectangularplate with two integral protrusion parts (31) at one end of the plate.These protrusion parts (31) are employed to engage the two holes (23) onthe elongate lock (2) and to retrieve it. It is important to note thatat least one protrusion part (31) is implied.

[0039] When further frames (1 a) are to be stacked up from the lowerframes (1 b), another elongate lock (2 a) is placed on top of the lowerelongate lock (2 b). The two elongate locks (2) are joined with theassistance of a lock connector (21) as seen in FIG. 4a. Further frames(1 a) are then stacked up with the assistance of this upper elongatelock (2 a). The elongate lock (2) is cut into lengths according torequirement. A plurality of elongate locks (2) joined at the interfaceof two adjacent lengths, can be employed to build up the height of aroom.

[0040] The lock connector (21), as shown in FIG. 4b, is substantially arectangular body with four protruding parts (211), one on top ofanother, along the body. When in use, two upper protruding parts (211)engage the two holes (23 a) disposed at the lower end of the upperelongate lock (2 a), two lower protruding parts (211) engage the twoholes (23 b) disposed at the upper end of the lower elongate lock (2 b),thereby forming a joint of the two adjacent elongate locks (2 a, 2 b).It is important to note that a plurality of protruding parts (211) isimplied. A mechanism is further provided to prevent this lock connector(21) from detaching itself from the holes (23), which will be explainedin FIG. 7.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the frame element (11) according to theinvention has a unique and specific design. The design assumessubstantially a hollow orthogonal box in shape.

[0042] A lock guide (14) with an enlarged head is provided integrally onone side of the box. This side of the box also forms a wide opening toserve as the frame slot (12). The lock guide's (14) enlarged head has arecessed section (15). The opposite side of the box is particularlyconfigured to include a T-shaped open channel to serve as the screenslot (13) with a narrow entrance (131). The screen slot (13) serves toreceive a panel holder (5) which will be explained later in FIGS. 8a to8 c.

[0043] One specific design of one embodiment of the elongate lock (2)according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 6a to 6 c. It issubstantially an I-shaped channel with two lateral flanges (22) and alengthwise web (24). At least one hole (23) is provided on each end ofthe elongate lock (2) along the longitudinal axis on the lengthwise web(24). Further, the undersides of the lateral flanges (22) are turnedinwardly to form two lock slots (221) with the lengthwise web (24). Eachlock slot (221) defines a narrow entrance (222), an enlarged interiorsection (223), and a recessed portion (224).

[0044] It is important to note that the elongate locks (2) are designed,so that they can be slid into the frame slots (12) on the frame elements(11). The narrow entrance (222). and the enlarged interior section (223)of the lock slot (221) engage the lock guide (14) with an enlarged head.As seen in FIG. 7, a cavity (25) is formed when the elongate lock's (2)recessed portion (224) engages the recessed section (15) on the lockguide's (14) enlarged head. This occurs when the elongate lock (2) isslid into the frame slots (12) of the extruded frame elements (11). Theprotruding parts (211) on the lock connector (21) are designed to fitthe holes (23) provided on the elongate lock (2). The lock connector's(21) body is designed to fit into the cavity (25) as shown in FIG. 7.The cavity (25) prevents the lock connector (21) from detaching itself.The lock connector (21) is held in place when the elongate lock (2),with the lock connector (21) attached, is slid into the extruded frameelement (11).

[0045] In actual application, the invention allows adjacent singleframes (1 a, 1 a′) or stacks of orthogonal frames (1 a, 1 b) to be usedto make up a tall partition. A single frame and at least two stacked upframes can also be combined in use.

[0046] According to the invention, another feature of the frame elements(11) is that they can be used to hold a display panel (4) as seen inFIGS. 8a to 8 c. Panel holders (5) can be attached to the extruded frameelement (11) for the purpose of holding the display panel (4). Eachpanel holder (5) consists of a connecting member (51) and a holderbracket (52). The connecting member (51) is substantially I-shaped: Ithas two lateral flanges (511, 512) connected by a lengthwise flange(513). The upper lateral flange (511) can be slid into the T-shaped openchannel of the screen slot (13) shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 8c,the lower lateral flange (512) of the connecting member (51) engages theholder bracket (52). The display panel (4) can be easily disengaged fromthe extruded frame elements (11) by sliding the connecting members (51)away from the holder brackets (52), as shown in FIG. 8a.

[0047] As seen in FIGS. 9a to 9 c, the holder bracket (52) issubstantially an inverted U-shaped bracket, with two parallel arms and ahorizontal arm. The horizontal arm is integrally provided with aU-shaped cavity, defining a narrow entrance (521) and an enlargedinterior section (522), which is designed to receive the connectingmember's (51) lengthwise flange (513) and the lower lateral flange (512)respectively. Two corresponding openings (523) are provided on theparallel arms of the holder bracket (52). The display panel (4) is heldin place by suitable fastening accessories inserted into the openings(523) on the holder bracket (52), as well as corresponding openings onthe display panel (4).

[0048] Material for panels can be high-pressure laminates, fibreboards,plywood or other suitable materials.

[0049] According to the present invention, another design of theelongate lock (2) is an extruded component with at least two lock slots(221) provided on its lengthwise body. In the above description, theelongate lock (2) interlocks two frames which are disposed in the samecommon plane. It is important to note that there may be otherembodiments of the elongate lock (2) interlocking two or more frameswhich are disposed in planes inclined to one another. The inclined anglemay be varying. In FIG. 10a, another embodiment of the elongate lock (2)interlocks two frames disposed at right angle to each other. In FIG.10b, yet another embodiment of the elongate lock (2) interlocks threeframes disposed at right angle to one another.

1. A modular framing system comprising single frames (1 a, 1 a′) orstacks of orthogonal frames (1 a, 1 b) arranged in adjacent to oneanother with their corresponding edges positioned in close proximity toone another, each orthogonal frame (1) being formed from twohorizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements (11); aplurality of elongate locks (2) interlocked in between the adjacentvertical frame elements (11), is characterized in which each frameelement (11) is integrally provided with a frame slot (12) and a screenslot (13); a plurality of elongate locks (2) slidably interlocked witheach of the frame slots (12); a plurality of lock connectors (21)joining one upper elongate lock (2 a) to another lower elongate lock (2b) at their common interface, whereas a lock retriever (3) is employedto engage the top end of the uppermost elongate lock (2), enabling thelength of the joined elongate locks (2) to dismantle the framing system.2. A modular framing system of claim 1 wherein the frame element (11) issubstantially a hollow orthogonal box in shape; a lock guide (14) withan enlarged head is provided integrally on one side of the box, whichforms a wide opening to serve as the frame slot (12); the lock guide's(14) enlarged head has a recessed section (15); and the opposite side ofthe box is particularly configured to include a T-shaped open channel toserve as the screen slot (13) with a narrow entrance (131), forreceiving a panel holder (5).
 3. A modular framing system of claim 1wherein each elongate lock (2) is substantially extruded and eachelongate lock (2) has at least one hole (23) on both ends of itslengthwise web (24) or body to receive a lock connector (21); each lockconnector (21) has a body with a plurality of protruding parts (211)that are designed to fit the holes (23) provided on each end of thelengthwise web (24) or body; and the lock connector (21) is attached tothe common interface between two adjacent elongate locks (2) when theyare stacked up.
 4. A modular framing system of claim 3 wherein theelongate lock (2) has at least two lock slots (221) designed to slidablyfit the lock guides' (14) enlarged heads thereby connecting two adjacentframe elements (11); and each lock slot (221) on the elongate lock (2)has a recessed portion (224) that will form a cavity (25) with therecessed section (15) on the lock guide's (14) enlarged head when theelongate lock (2) slidably interlocks with the frame slot (12) on theextruded frame element (11).
 5. A modular framing system of claim 4wherein each cavity (25) so formed restrains the lock connector (21)from detachment after it has been attached to the elongate lock (2). 6.A modular framing system of claim 3 wherein the elongate locks (2) ofshorter lengths are joined into a longer length, with the assistance ofthe lock connectors (21).
 7. A modular framing system of claim 4 whereintwo lock slots (221) are integrally combined to form an I-shapedelongate lock (2), such that the two lock slots (221) interlock twoadjacent frame elements (11) disposed in a common plane.
 8. A modularframing system of claim 4 wherein at least two lock slots (221) areintegrally combined to form an elongate lock (2), such that these lockslots (221) interlock corresponding frame elements (11) disposed invarying inclined angles.
 9. A modular framing system of claim 2 whereineach panel holder (5) comprises an I-shaped connecting member (51),having two lateral flanges (511, 512) connected by a lengthwise flange(513); and a substantially inverted U-shaped holder bracket (52), withtwo parallel arms and a horizontal arm, where the horizontal arm isintegrally provided with a U-shaped cavity, defining a narrow entrance(521) and an enlarged interior section (522), which is designed toreceive the connecting member's (51) vertical flange (513) and the lowerlateral flange (512) respectively, whereas the upper lateral flange(511) can be slid into the T-shaped open channel of the screen slot (13)and the lower lateral flange (512) of the connecting member (51) engagesthe holder bracket (52); and two corresponding openings (523) areprovided on the parallel arms of the holder bracket (52) while a displaypanel (4) is held in place by suitable fastening accessories insertedinto the openings (523) on the holder bracket (52), as well ascorresponding openings on the display panel (4).
 10. A modular framingsystem of claim 1 wherein a single frame (1 a) and at least twostacked-up frames (1 a, 1 b) can be used in combination.
 11. A method ofconstructing modular framing system, including single frames (1 a, 1 a′)or stacks of orthogonal frames (1 a, 1 b) arranged in adjacent to oneanother with their corresponding edges positioned in close proximity toone another, each orthogonal frame (1) being formed from twohorizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements (11);and a plurality of elongate locks (2) are interlocked in between theadjacent vertical frame elements (11), comprises the steps of: providingintegrally each frame element (11) with a frame slot (12) and a screenslot (13); interlocking a plurality of elongate locks (2) slidably witheach of the frame slots (12); joining one upper elongate lock (2 a) toanother lower elongate lock (2 b) at their common interface with theassistance of a plurality of lock connectors (21), whereas a lockretriever (3) is employed to engage the top end of the uppermostelongate lock (2), enabling the length of the joined elongate locks (2)to dismantle the framing system.
 12. A method of constructing modularframing system further comprises the steps of: designing the frameelement (11) to assume substantially a hollow orthogonal box in shape;providing integrally a lock guide (14) with an enlarged head on one sideof the box, which forms a wide opening to serve as the frame slot (12);providing a recessed section (15) to the lock guide's (14) enlargedhead; and providing a T-shaped open channel to serve as the screen slot(13) with a narrow entrance (131), to receive a panel holder (5), on theopposite side of the box.
 13. A method of constructing modular framingsystem further comprises the steps of: providing at least one hole (23)on both ends of its lengthwise web (24) or body of the extruded elongatelock (2) with at least two lock slots (221), to receive a lock connector(21); providing each lock connector (21) with a plurality of protrudingparts (211), and fitting the protruding parts (211) to the holes (23)provided on each end of the lengthwise web (24) or body; and attachingthe lock connector (21) to the common interface between two adjacentelongate locks (2) when they are stacked up.